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Reinstitutionalisation in mental health care: comparison of data on service provision from six European countries

BMJ 2005; 330 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38296.611215.AE (Published 13 January 2005) Cite this as: BMJ 2005;330:123

Rapid Response:

The wheels of the bus go round and round...

An interesting and timely study. Priebe et al bring into discussion
the historic perspective in the phenomenon of deinstitutionalisation in
mental health care throughout Western Europe. The wave of
deinstitutionalisation started in the 1950's; about 50 years on, the
authors conclude that we are witnessing the beginning of a reverse process
in the form of reinstitutionalisation or trans-institutionalisation.

It appears to me that there is a striking resemblance with the 'K-
waves' described in the field of politico-economics by Modelsky
(Washington - Political Science Department) as follows: "KONDRATIEFF WAVES
(or, for short, K-waves) may be defined as a pattern of regularity
characteristic of structural change in the modern world economy. Some 60
years in length, it consists of an alternation of periods of high sectoral
growth with others, start-up periods of slower growth. The study of this
pattern helps to trace the evolution of the global economy, and aids in
politico-economic prediction".
http://faculty.washington.edu/modelski/IPEKWAVE.html

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

28 November 2004
Adrian S. Blaj
Psychiatrist
London, England